New iPad SDK Adds Gesture Tools, Removes Video Chat Icons

[Matthew Yohe]

Agreed, this is the perfect form factor for a video chat device. Since your eyes will be pointed at the screen, the camera won't be "looking up your nose." Since this is the perfect device for lots of business travelers who might like to stay connected to home or the office, a camera would have been nice."

You are mistaken.

I grabbed a clipboard and clipped my iPhone to it while it was recording video. I held it where it felt comfortable, and yeah, it's a very unflattering view.

Did you even think about what you were saying?

Since your eyes will be pointed at the screen, the camera won't be "looking up your nose."

It doesn't matter what your eyes do, the problem is your face. The camera will still be looking up at you from a low angle and if it isn't then you are either lowering your head unnaturally, or holding up the iPad to the same height as your eyes, which is also not comfortable.

 

[cmaier]

You are mistaken.

I grabbed a clipboard and clipped my iPhone to it while it was recording video. I held it where it felt comfortable, and yeah, it's a very unflattering view.

Did you even think about what you were saying?



It doesn't matter what your eyes do, the problem is your face. The camera will still be looking up at you from a low angle and if it isn't then you are either lowering your head unnaturally, or holding up the iPad to the same height as your eyes, which is also not comfortable.

You know it's possible to disagree without being insulting, right?

 

[Stately]

the few people that i have talked to that are bemoaning inability of video chat when pressed i find never actually use it. They talk about how great isight is on their macbook pros etc but again very rarely use this feature. I am not denying that there are people who do want it and who would use it, but the media hype surrounding it i feel is giving it more weight than it deserves.

I think maybe your friends like the idea of having video chat in something portable. I know I do. If I'm home and on something like a macbook, I rather not go through all the extra steps to wait for it to boot up, startup the internet, locate ichat, etc . . and then sit in one place in my house to use it, especially if that's the only reason I'm turning on my machine. When it comes to the iphone and ipad, they are super portable and stay on most of the time and or turn on quickly if your talking about the iphone and instantaneously if we are talking about the ipad. If I can video chat with someone quickly and anywhere, then it makes it pleasurable to see a friends face on a call. It's rather convenient too, to be able to see a friends expressions or get a glimpse of their surroundings in real time.

 

[sinsin07]

snip...that Apple has added support for "3Tap" and "LongPress" gestures to the SDK...

...and Apple takes a queue from the jailbreak community aka "Activator".

Yeah!!! Go Apple!

 

[troller]

they (Apple) do it as they always did because there are enough stupid people on this planet who will by it even with removed fetures...Apple sells it again piece by piece for the stupid crowd

 

[jeznav]

Rotation lock. OK. My app already has this, by only operating in one orientation.

I'm intrigued by the picture above - Bezel recalibration???

Does that mean that the rumoured touch sensitive Bezel is coming? Is that why the Bezel is so wide?

Using the Bezel for scrolling or OSX dock-like manipulation could be great (if you didn't accidentally use it while simply holding the device - on/off setting? select which of the four side bezels are active?).

Or imagine pinch and zoom on a picture without having to cover the picture with your hand to do it...

Bring it on!

Nope. I just checked and it recalibrates the compass. Its a picture of an iPad with an 8 sign turned sideways.

 

[MikhailT]

You seem to be suggesting using an iPad as desktop replacement. Frankly this is a better argument for a full size Desktop/Laptop adopting the iPhone OS UI, then it is for a webcam in the iPad.
For better or worse Apple is not marketing the iPad as a replacement for your Desktop/Laptop.
The iPad is designed to be hand held and mobile. Tossing a webcam into that paradigm does not work well. Even your example recognizes the need to go outside of the included form factor to properly utilize a camera.
The iPad will require a separate machine and by and large that already has a webcam. Video conferencing works better at a desk (despite the UI).
If you expect the device to be something that it was not intended for, you will be disappointed.

First, I never suggested that iPad is a replacement for desktop or laptops. Slates or tablets (not convertible) are third form of computers with the first and second being desktops and laptops/netbooks (or fourth for third being the smartphones/PDA). They all have pros and cons. People will buy what they think will work for them.

Secondly, the people I describe aren't the type of power users that requires the need of desktop or laptops. There are people who actually just consume data and not create them. Many of those people want to get those data everywhere, not stuck to their desks. iPad or any slates/netbooks are usually good to excellent for those people. iPad is just much more user-friendly due to the multi-touch interface plus the app store.

Thirdly, full-size iPhone OS on desktops/laptops makes far less sense than webcam in iPad form factor. People will tire out immediately with their arms on the monitor all the time. Keyboard/mouse are not in any danger of being phased out by multi-touch OS/monitor for a long time for those stationary devices.

 

[Hugh]

Remembering

Like this

I remember Packerd Bell Navigator real well. That brings me back to when I used to sell those junk of computers. :/

Hugh

 

[deconstruct60]

I grabbed a clipboard and clipped my iPhone to it while it was recording video. I held it where it felt comfortable, and yeah, it's a very unflattering view.

A dubious experiment design. There is extremely little change anyone will able to hold a iPad steady so that there are no jiggle effects while talking. The other glaringly missing component of the experiment is content for the user to focus on a couple inches below where the camera is.

What you might try doing is find someone with a webcam in the laptop lid. Then film them from the side while they do a webcam. More than likley you will find that this "unnatural" inclination of the head to the same angle as the screen isn't quite as "unnatural" as you portray it to be.

 

[Maserati7200]

Now how am I supposed to get on Chat Roulette?

OMG don't get me started with that... the sh.. i've seen on that....

 

[navanod]

I travel for work and would love the iPad with video chat to talk to my son while abroad. Until the camera with video chat happens I'm holding off!

 

[deckwalker]

"One more thing:

Still not sure why anyone honestly believes there would be any "surprise" of any kind to be revealed between the ipad announcement and its launch. Seriously.

<snip>

If you were running a company and had a great product with a cool feature, would you deliberately announce said product but not refer to the cool feature, then a month later just before launch go "oh man we really fooled you!" and announce the hidden secret?

While I don't expect to see a camera or multi-tasking when the iPad launches I still think your post is way off.

First case in point is the iPhone. They introduced the YouTube app post announcement but pre launch. Here you have a company doing exactly what you've just said is stupid.

Second is the famous quotation from Apple events, "One more thing..." Apple is famous for holding things back as a surprise.

Finally, your allegation that holding something back or introducing a surprise is somehow fooling the client is silly. They haven't fooled anyone, they've simply kept a secret in order to build more publicity later.

Again, I don't expect surprised before the iPad launch, but that doesn't mean that a surprise is beyond the realm of reason.

 

[norwaypianoman]

the few people that i have talked to that are bemoaning inability of video chat when pressed i find never actually use it. They talk about how great isight is on their macbook pros etc but again very rarely use this feature. I am not denying that there are people who do want it and who would use it, but the media hype surrounding it i feel is giving it more weight than it deserves. I have no idea why i woulod want an ipad but i expect a developer to write something outrageous and will MAKE me want one sooner than later. Probably why its such an exciting device.

I agree. Let the moaners prove their daily video chat rate, before they can moan again.

 

[Brocc]

iPad tested with camera?

I for one do not like to talk to people nose hairs...

And do you really think they didn't test the iPad with a camera. I am will to bet money they tested it with a camera and found the results to be unsatisfactory.

Possible evidence that they tested the iPad with a camera. Look at the engadget photo leak just prior to the launch which shows the iPad locked into a frame. There is a cut-out where the camera should be and it is angled - possibly so as not to obstruct the camera's field of view. Obviously this presumes that the photo was genuine.

 

[knightlie]

It figures Apple would remove the one cool surprise from the iPad prior to launch.

It wasn't a cool surprise because it was never there. The camera and video chat were speculated upon based on the SDK, and that speculation is now proved false.

Possible evidence that they tested the iPad with a camera. Look at the engadget photo leak just prior to the launch which shows the iPad locked into a frame. There is a cut-out where the camera should be and it is angled - possibly so as not to obstruct the camera's field of view. Obviously this presumes that the photo was genuine.

It's for the light sensor. The case for my iPod Touch has a similar cut-out, and the Touch itself has a noticeable mark where the sensor is, but there's no sign of a camera.

 

[Peter Harrison]

I'm intrigued by the picture above - Bezel recalibration???

Does that mean that the rumoured touch sensitive Bezel is coming? Is that why the Bezel is so wide?

The bezel is wide so you can hold the thing without touching the screen. Touching a touchscreen by mistake is generally something that should be avoided.

 

[derek1984]

Some people want a camera. Some don't.

I for one, will not be buying this without a camera.

Why not just make it with a camera and give us the option whether or not we would use it.

Is it really that hard to do? That's right. It's not. This is just all about what's best for Apple.

 

[err404]

First, I never suggested that iPad is a replacement for desktop or laptops. Slates or tablets (not convertible) are third form of computers with the first and second being desktops and laptops/netbooks (or fourth for third being the smartphones/PDA). They all have pros and cons. People will buy what they think will work for them.

Secondly, the people I describe aren't the type of power users that requires the need of desktop or laptops. There are people who actually just consume data and not create them. Many of those people want to get those data everywhere, not stuck to their desks. iPad or any slates/netbooks are usually good to excellent for those people. iPad is just much more user-friendly due to the multi-touch interface plus the app store.

Thirdly, full-size iPhone OS on desktops/laptops makes far less sense than webcam in iPad form factor. People will tire out immediately with their arms on the monitor all the time. Keyboard/mouse are not in any danger of being phased out by multi-touch OS/monitor for a long time for those stationary devices.

For the record I am a big fan of the iPad and will be ordering one on Friday. Also I agree with the sentiment of what you are saying, but I don’t think as a platform that the iPad is ready for implementing your plan. Your position is that a camera is useful since the iPad UI is more approachable to a novice user; it could/should replace the need for a desktop/laptop for those users. You want to take an iPad mount it vertically on your desk, use a physical keyboard (since the on-screen one wont work well on this position). Once you've done this, yes, a camera seems pretty useful. My point is that you're essential left with a desktop PC. While I think Apple will be there in a few years, the problem that I see with this solution now is that Apple didn't intend that use-case (yet). As of now, an iPad user w/o a functional Desktop/Laptop running iTunes will be in a "bag of hurt". iPad is a slave device to iTunes. iTunes is required for updates the iPad OS and all of the Sync/Backup functionality for photos/music/bookmarks/podcasts/etc.
Your example says more about the failings of the current desktop UI design. I wasn't suggesting a one-for-one adoption of the iPad UI to a desktop, rather a rethinking of the UI based on what works on the iPad. For example a novice mode profile on a PC could hide the file-system, fullscreen core apps, limit multitasking so apps don't need to be explicitly closed, seamless resume of closed apps, etc.
Of course you are welcome to use the iPad in the way you describe (as a primary device w/o a full PC), and I agree that in your scenario a camera would be useful. I’m just afraid it won’t be a smooth as you would like. Generally I find that attempting to use a device beyond its designed function is ultimately disappointed.

 

[err404]

Agreed, this is the perfect form factor for a video chat device. Since your eyes will be pointed at the screen, the camera won't be "looking up your nose." Since this is the perfect device for lots of business travelers who might like to stay connected to home or the office, a camera would have been nice."

If video conferencing to home is a requirement for the traveler, an iPad (with a built in webcam) is far from a perfect solution. For the camera to work well, your business traveler would need to pack a couple of extra accessories. He would need a vertical dock and most likely a keyboard. At that point it would be more convenient to just pack a netbook/laptop.

BTW - I'm a bit of an Apple fanboy, and I would be tempted to force the iPad to work here, but if I'm honest with myself, it's not the best tool for this job.

 

[cmaier]

If video conferencing to home is a requirement for the traveler, an iPad (with a built in webcam) is far from a perfect solution. For the camera to work well, your business traveler would need to pack a couple of extra accessories. He would need a vertical dock and most likely a keyboard. At that point it would be more convenient to just pack a netbook/laptop.

BTW - I'm a bit of an Apple fanboy, and I would be tempted to force the iPad to work here, but if I'm honest with myself, it's not the best tool for this job.

Keyboard isn't required for videoconferencing, and Apple's own iPad case holds the iPad at a good angle for video conferencing.

Note that many business travelers (me included) bring our MBP's or MBs on the road, and all we do with them is:

1) music/movies in the airport/on the plane
2) slingplayer
3) email (mostly reading it)
4) web browsing
5) looking at documents. maybe some very light editing or annotation.
6) playing powerpoint or keynote presentations through a projector

iPad can do all of these things in a much better form factor for someone who's spending a lot of time in airplanes and taxis. Being able to teleconference with my kid when I'm away for a few days would be icing on the cake.

 

[err404]

iPad can do all of these things in a much better form factor for someone who's spending a lot of time in airplanes and taxis. Being able to teleconference with my kid when I'm away for a few days would be icing on the cake.

I see your point. Even if it is an edge case the usefulness does outweigh the cost.

However the stubbornness in me still maintains that it's not a deal breaker for most people. . Adding a camera wouldn't stop the haters.

 

[cmaier]

I see your point. Even if it is an edge case the usefulness does outweigh the cost.

However the stubbornness in me still maintains that it's not a deal breaker for most people. . Adding a camera wouldn't stop the haters.

It's certainly not a deal breaker for me, but it does mean that when I'm out on the road I'll be just a little more hesitant taking my iPad instead of my MBP, especially for longer trips.

 

[FaustsHausUK]

There are also these icons...

Amazing find! This is something I've wanted on the iPhone forever, but more as a per-app preference. For example, I never want the iPod app to flip into CoverFlow mode.

 

[MikhailT]

For the record I am a big fan of the iPad and will be ordering one on Friday. Also I agree with the sentiment of what you are saying, but I don’t think as a platform that the iPad is ready for implementing your plan. Your position is that a camera is useful since the iPad UI is more approachable to a novice user; it could/should replace the need for a desktop/laptop for those users. You want to take an iPad mount it vertically on your desk, use a physical keyboard (since the on-screen one wont work well on this position). Once you've done this, yes, a camera seems pretty useful. My point is that you're essential left with a desktop PC. While I think Apple will be there in a few years, the problem that I see with this solution now is that Apple didn't intend that use-case (yet). As of now, an iPad user w/o a functional Desktop/Laptop running iTunes will be in a "bag of hurt". iPad is a slave device to iTunes. iTunes is required for updates the iPad OS and all of the Sync/Backup functionality for photos/music/bookmarks/podcasts/etc.
Your example says more about the failings of the current desktop UI design. I wasn't suggesting a one-for-one adoption of the iPad UI to a desktop, rather a rethinking of the UI based on what works on the iPad. For example a novice mode profile on a PC could hide the file-system, fullscreen core apps, limit multitasking so apps don't need to be explicitly closed, seamless resume of closed apps, etc.
Of course you are welcome to use the iPad in the way you describe (as a primary device w/o a full PC), and I agree that in your scenario a camera would be useful. I’m just afraid it won’t be a smooth as you would like. Generally I find that attempting to use a device beyond its designed function is ultimately disappointed.

Not sure where this is going, I was trying to just tell somebody that the video camera does make sense in the iPad form factor, that's all. We have gone into a conversation that actually makes sense on two different fronts but we're not understanding that we're talking about two different things.

The fact is, people like my mother are a dying race, the type of people who grew up without computers and would be happy not to use a computer at all. The same people who won't buy a computer at all, even if iPhone OS was running on the desktop because they have no use for the desktops. Those people would actually like iPad for that fact that it's not the same experience as the complicated desktop, they don't care if it's not a smooth multitasking OS like the desktops. They don't know any better. I never suggested that those people would buy keyboards or whatever to turn it into desktops, that's missing the whole point of the form factor. My mother just wants to view digital photos, watch movies and maybe once in a while, skype with her family in other countries using video. She doesn't need desktops/laptops even with iPhone OS running on them. They are far more than what she needs.

Those people are not the same type of people as your "novice users". Novice users suggest that they'll be willing to go more advanced and use computers.

I understand your points, I really do but it doesn't apply to the people I describe. Those are very specific people that have no uses for computers at all, and don't care. iPad is the only form factor that could work with them.

I do agree with redefining the desktop OS, one of the things I would like to see go away is folders/partitions replaced with meta-data/tags search based OS. But making the OS too simplified would just piss off the power users since it would be far too limited. The question is, can Apple succeed in the near future of developing a hybrid OS that can switch between iPhone-ish OS and Mac OSX? Kinda like how the OS X turns into a nice media center when Front Row is running full screen, I can see Apple developing Dashboard into a much more powerful "OS" for running iPhone Applications which would be the best thing ever.